By CLAUDIA KOERNER / ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

As investigators in Northern California look for the cause of a deadly limousine fire, local limo business owners recommended Orange County residents inspect cars personally and review companies’ licenses before chartering a ride.

Limos are sophisticated machines, said Antony Chandler of Matebele Limousine Service, and the stretch vehicles require more regular maintenance than a standard-length car. In spite of regulations requiring safety checks and insurance, the responsibility of keeping the vehicles in top shape is up to individual owners, he said.

San Mateo County firefighters and California Highway Patrol personnel investigate the scene of a limousine fire on the westbound side of the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge in Foster City on Saturday. Five people died when they were trapped in a fire in the limo and four others and the driver were able to escape, according to the Oakland Tribune-Bay Area News Group.
JANE TYSKA, AP

“I would always ask for pictures of the car or to come by and inspect the car,” he said.

As locals prepare for proms, graduations and summer weddings, questions of safety have come up following a deadly limo fire in San Mateo County. The cause of Saturday’s fire, which killed five passengers celebrating a girls’ night out, remains under investigation, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The California Public Utilities Commission regulates private passenger carriers, a category that includes limousines, airport shuttles and charter buses. Carriers must have liability and property-damage insurance, and drivers must be covered by workers’ compensation insurance. Liability requirements are based on the seating capacity of vehicles. Vehicles that can carry seven passengers or fewer must carry $750,000 in insurance, and those with between eight and 15 passengers must carry $1.5 million.

Before a company can receive its license from the state, it must participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles’ Employer Pull Notice program, which monitors employees’ driving records. The commission also maintains a drug- and alcohol-testing program, which requires that employees pass a drug test before they are hired and that drug testing is conducted randomly thereafter. Vehicles that seat more than 10, including the driver, must also pass a safety inspection by the California Highway Patrol.

At Alless USA in Laguna Hills, Andrey Stoukan has repaired limos for eight years. Everything under the hood is like a regular car, he said, but that’s where the similarities end.

The vehicles require particular attention to everything underneath the stretch interior, including the drive shaft, tires and springs, he said.

“You have to make sure there is no vibration so people can feel comfortable,” he said.

Changing the oil every 3,000 miles is critical, and fluid levels and brakes should be checked before each trip, he said. Many rental services will go through a checklist before and after each excursion, looking for safety hazards as well as cosmetic damage.

With the costs of maintenance and doing business, Chandler said, customers should be cautious of cut-rate rentals that might be cutting corners.

“It is a very expensive undertaking,” he said.

His company houses its cars in the service bays of a car dealership, and vehicles are inspected nearly every time they go out. In addition to regular tune-ups, the cars more regularly require extensive service.

“You’ve got a car that’s a lot longer,” he said. “It’s going to go through brakes quicker.”

Some companies use in-car cameras to monitor drivers on the job, but his company looks instead for quality employees, he said. Drivers must pass a road test before going on the job as well as having prior experience, he said.

In addition to researching a company’s license through the Public Utilities Commission, Chandler said, customers should look for word-of-mouth recommendations or social media reviews. A personal reference can be the best barometer of which companies offer reliable, quality service, he said.

“People call it like they see it,” he said.

Contact the writer: ckoerner@ocregister.com or 714-704-3706

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This past Sunday kicked off Oktoberfest at Old World Village in Huntington Beach, CA

Dashaund races, Beer, Brats, Apple Strudel, Om- PA- PA music, and Chicken dancing all in the charming surroundings of a German village!

Enjoy Oktoberfest safely in a Matebele Limousine!  Email us at info@matebelelimo.com

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We will be watching the duo of vehicles roll up to the red carpet!

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The post Matebele Limo goes to the Grammy’s! appeared first on LA Limousine Rental | Matebele Limo | Luxury Car Rental.